Pakistan bowled out for 426 in first Test against Zimbabwe

Pakistan were bowled out for 426 on the third day of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Harare on Saturday, taking a first innings lead of 250 runs.

Resuming at 374-6, Pakistan added 52 runs as paceman Blessing Muzarabani dismissed Hasan Ali and Nauman Ali off successive deliveries before getting the wicket of Fawad Alam for 140. Muzarabani finished with figures of 4-73. Zimbabwe had scored 176 in their first innings.

Fawad Alam plays a shot during the first Test.

Pakistan openers Imran Butt (91) and Abid Ali (60) made half-centuries. Butt and Abid Ali shared a 115-run opening stand, although their partnership didn't go very far on the second day. Continuing on 103-0 from the first day, Butt and Abid Ali put on just 12 runs in 14.2 desperately slow overs before Abid Ali edged to slip.

Pakistan reached 176-1 but Azhar Ali, Babar and Butt then all fell in fairly quick succession to make it 226-4.

There was a chance the tourists might squander their advantage, but Fawad made sure that didn't happen, hitting 16 fours and staying unbeaten at the close.
He put on 107 with Mohammad Rizwan (45), and had an unbroken 40-run stand with Hasan Ali (21 not out) at stumps.

"I was nowhere a few years back, so whatever Almighty has given me I am grateful and this knock is a great satisfaction," said Alam, adding that the slow pitch made scoring difficult.

Shaheen Afridi delivers a ball during the first Test.

"The ball was not coming onto the bat but when they took the new ball scoring became much easier and when I came to bat the platform was set by the openers," he said.

While Alam made the most of his opportunity, opener Butt missed out on a maiden Test century by just nine runs. Others amongst runs were Abid Ali 60 and Azhar Ali 36.

Donald Tiripano took 3-89 for Zimbabwe, including the wicket of Babar first ball. Babar drove it straight to Roy Kaia at short mid-on to briefly lift Zimbabwe and register his first golden duck in his 58th Test innings.